Asia Specific Podcast
Asia Pacific - unpacked by those who know it best. Bringing you essential insights and conversations on the stories shaping the region.
Asia Pacific, unpacked by those who know it best. Bringing you essential insights and conversations on the stories shaping the region - an economic powerhouse, geo-political flashpoint and the birthplace of global cultural trends.
Hear Asian perspectives on international issues and in-depth analysis on news from a region that鈥檚 home to nearly 2.5 billion people.
Whether it is the latest on trade between the US and China, the rise and fall of political dynasties in Thailand, Indonesia, and the Philippines, or South Korea鈥檚 K-pop inspired soft power strategy, we find out what key players are thinking and dive into the stories that matter.
Hosted in Singapore by Mariko Oi, alongside 麻豆社 experts in Beijing, Bangkok, and beyond 鈥� listen to new episodes twice a week.
Get in touch: asiaspecific@bbc.co.ukasiaspecific@bbc.co.uk
Episodes to download
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Is India鈥檚 internet becoming more like China鈥檚?
Friday
India is proposing tighter new rules that could impact influencers and online creators
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Can China reverse a billion-dollar tech deal?
Last Wednesday
China halts Meta鈥檚 Manus takeover, marking a turning point in the US-China tech rivalry
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New Zealand and India鈥檚 trade deal row
Fri 1 May 2026
The free trade agreement means bringing in more skilled migrants, sparking backlash
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Can Vietnam still reach its growth target?
Tue 28 Apr 2026
The country鈥檚 economy is under pressure, with manufacturers hit by the oil shock
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Indonesia鈥檚 US airspace deal risks China ties
Tue 21 Apr 2026
What would a deal with the US military mean for Indonesia鈥檚 ties to China?
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Who鈥檚 winning the EV race?
Fri 17 Apr 2026
Is the energy crisis accelerating a shift in Asia to electric vehicles beyond China?
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Thailand鈥檚 complicated relationship with tourism
Tue 14 Apr 2026
How the oil shock is affecting Thailand鈥檚 Songkran celebrations
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Trump鈥檚 鈥楲iberation Day鈥� tariffs, one year on
Fri 10 Apr 2026
How have US tariffs changed trade in Asia?
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Bonus: What an Iran US ceasefire means for Asia
Wed 8 Apr 2026
Donald Trump believes China helped push Iran towards a ceasefire
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Who is leading the race to the Moon?
Tue 7 Apr 2026
The US and China are both planning lunar missions. Why does it matter?
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Is Australia seeing an immigration backlash?
Tue 31 Mar 2026
Could the populist One Nation party become Australia鈥檚 main opposition?
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The billion dollar return of K-pop kings BTS
Sat 28 Mar 2026
Can South Korea鈥檚 biggest boyband BTS still dominate K-pop after four years off?
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South East Asia鈥檚 oil shortage fears
Wed 25 Mar 2026
Why has the Iran war left the region鈥檚 oil supply so exposed?
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What message does the Iran war send to Asia鈥檚 nuclear powers?
Wed 18 Mar 2026
Will North Korea and China rethink their weapons programme after the attacks on Iran?
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The US-China crypto split
Sat 14 Mar 2026
Why do the superpowers of US and China see cryptocurrency so differently?
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Can China鈥檚 economy survive global shocks?
Wed 11 Mar 2026
China鈥檚 growth is slowing as the US-Israel war with Iran jolts the world economy
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Is AI threatening Japan鈥檚 manga industry?
Sat 7 Mar 2026
Creators of Japan鈥檚 popular manga comics see both threat and opportunity in AI
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China warns against 鈥榣aw of the jungle鈥� after US-Israeli strikes on Iran
Mon 2 Mar 2026
China condemns US actions in Iran, but will support for Tehran go beyond rhetoric?
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The boom in queer romance shows
Sat 28 Feb 2026
How same-sex romance dramas have moved into mainstream pop culture in Asia
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Marcos v Duterte: The family feud shaking the Philippines
Wed 25 Feb 2026
Sara Duterte announces bid for the top job in a deepening family dynasty political battle
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Inside Singapore鈥檚 war on vapes
Sat 21 Feb 2026
Why Singapore is going all out on its campaign against vaping
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Bonus: South Korea鈥檚 former leader convicted for insurrection
Thu 19 Feb 2026
Will a life sentence for South Korea鈥檚 ex-president Yoon Suk Yeol end divisions?
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Why don鈥檛 Chinese workers get more leave?
Wed 18 Feb 2026
Chinese workers officially get nine days off for Lunar New Year 鈥� but there鈥檚 a catch
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The pressure to be thin in Asia
Sat 14 Feb 2026
Bodyweight influences in Asia - from fashion to K-pop to social media
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What do Thailand鈥檚 election results mean?
Wed 11 Feb 2026
Voters in Thailand stick with the conservatives in national elections
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Bonus: Japan PM鈥檚 landslide election win
Mon 9 Feb 2026
What will Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi do now she has a resounding mandate?
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Malaysia's football scandal
Sat 7 Feb 2026
Fifa has accused Malaysia of trying to fast-track foreign players into the national team
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Bonus: What in the World
Wed 4 Feb 2026
Why are people in China looking for parental love from strangers?
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The daughter who could rule North Korea
Sun 1 Feb 2026
Will North Korea鈥檚 next leader be Kim Jong Un鈥檚 daughter? It鈥檚 time to meet Kim Ju Ae
